Illuminated display sign



June 20, 1933. Q, .J. WAMSER 11,914,932

ILLUMINATED DISPLAY 5 IGN Filed Jan. 26, 1931 Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES CHAR-LES T. WAM$ER, 01F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN ILLUMINATED DISPLAY SIGN Application filed January 26, 1931. Serial No. 511,315.

This invention pertains to illuminated display signs, and more particularly to glass panel signs having characters or strokes produced thereon by the usual sand-blasting 5 cutting process.

At the present time, there are several illuminated glass panel display signs in common use, wherein the strokes or characters are etched or cut into a transparent panel and illuminated by means of an indirect source of light positioned adjacent one edge of the glass to reflect rays edgewise therethrough. The rays thus reflected strike the etched strokes or characters, causing the same to be more or less illuminated as against the smooth surface of the glass. However, in such signs, there is no contrast in the illuminated strokes, inasmuch as deflected rays only provide for the illumination. In all instances, such signs necessitate a casing adjacent one edge of the glass panel for reception of the illuminating means, thus detracting from the neatness of appearance of the sign, particularly where the sign is to be suspended in a show-window or the like. Also, where only one source of light is employed, the sign must necessarily be restricted in size, otherwise the deflected rays are not suihciently brilliant to properly illuminate the charactors or strokes remote from the source of light.

The present invention has primarily for its object to provide an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and improved display sign of the general type described, in which certain of the characters or strokes of the sign are directly illuminated, while other strokes are indirectly illuminated from the source of direct illumination, thus providing an effective contrast to the Various strokes of the sign through a single source ofillumination.

Incidental to the foregoing, a more spe- ClfiC object of the invention resides in the provision of a display sign comprising a transparent panel provided with etcher charactors and designs, and electrically illuminated means positioned within certain ofsaid strokes for direct illumination thereof and indirect illumination of the remaining strokes.

A further object resides in utilizing a luminescent gas tube, such as neon, conforming to certain of the strokes only and serving to indirectly illuminate other of said strokes.

Structurally, a further object is to provide 5 a transparent glass display panel having strokes sand-blasted upon the rear face thereof, and a luminescent tube conforming to and positioned within certain of said strokes, the tube being retained and protected by means of a non-light transmitting panel secured to the rear face of said transparent panel.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, 5 the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes 7 in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come with in the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a front elevaso tion of a display sign constructed in accordance with the present invention, parts being broken away and in section;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section illustrat ing a slight modification of the preferred form of the invention, wherein the lumio0 nescent tube is partially positioned within both the transparent and rear panels.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral 1 designates a transparent panel provided on its rear face with characters 2 and a border 3, both out into the panel by the usual sandblast process.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the strokes of the characters and design are pref erably formed of sufficient depth to entirely receive the luminescent tube 4, which as heretofore explained, is preferably of the neon or other gaseous types of luminescent tube, although in some instances an elongated incandescent tube might be employed.

As best shown in Figure 1, it is proposed to directly illuminate certain of the strokes provided on the transparent panel 1, and therefore the luminescent tube 4 is shaped to conform to the stroke to be directly illuminated, which in the present case, is the border 3. Cooperating with the transparent panel 1, to retain and entirely house the tube 4 in assembled position, is a rear panel 5 having non-light transmitting characteristics. Preferably, the panel 5 is formed of non-light transmitting glass, although transparent or opaque glass might be coated with non-light transmitting material to accomplish the same results. Also, other non-light transmitting material, such as composition board and the like, might be used, although it has been found that a material with a smooth, shiny surface provides the most effective results.

The panels 1 and 5 may be secured in assembled relation by means of the nuts 6 passing therethrough and provided with rosetted heads 7 for the purpose of ornamentation or embellishment.

As best shown in Figure 1, the rear panel 5 is provided with a cut-out recess 8 through which the ends of the tube 4 project, and while a single recess has been shown to accommodate both ends of the tube, obviously each end can be projected through an independent recess.

Secured to the rear of the panel 5 in any suitable manner, is a casing 9, in which is mounted the usual transformer 10, used in connection with luminescent gas tubes. The high tension wires 11 leading from the transformer are connected with the electrodes of the luminescent tube by means of the usual clips 12, the electrodes projecting into the casing 9, as best shown in Figure 3. In instances where it is desired to suspend the sign, such as in a show-window or the like, the same is accomplished by chains 13, or other suitable means, connected with the eyes 14 carried by the casing 9. Thus, the sign can be readily balanced to hang in a perpendicular position with the transformer casing entirely obscured from view, resulting in an exceedingly neat and attractive appearance of the sign and entirely eliminating the necessity of a frame for the panels.

While it is preferred to position the tube 4 entirely within the strokes provided upon the transparent panel, thus eliminating the necessity of cutting strokes into the rear panel to conform to those in the transparent panel, in some instances the latter structure may be desirable. Therefore, as illustrated in Figure 4, both the front panel 1 and the rear panel 5' may be provided with cut-out strokes 3 cooperating with each other to receive and house the luminescent tube 4.

In operation, it will be readily seen that the luminescent tube 4, positioned within the border stroke 3 of the transparent panel 1, will serve to directly illuminate the same, while the light rays transmitted through the glass and coming in contact with the frosted strokes 2, serve to indirectly illuminate the same, there being, however, considerable contrast between the brilliancy of the illumination of the border 3 and the characters 2, thus adding materially to the effectiveness and attractive appearance of the sign. Furthermore, a sign constructed in accordance with the present invention thoroughly protects the luminescent tube, assuring long life, durability, and also easy cleaning of the display panel, due to its smooth outer finish.

WVhile that type of sign having the transformer carried by the rear panel has been illustrated, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the same, inasmuch as an attractive base or stand can be provided for reception of the display panel and for housing the transformer, such structure being most desirable where the display is to be positioned upon a counter or other support. Also, a frame may be provided for the panel, should a more elaborate structure be desired. However, the same is in no way essential to the utility of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A sign comprising a transparent panel having strokes cut into its rear face, a

luminescent tube positioned within certain of said strokes for direct illumination thereof and indirect illumination of the remaining strokes, and a non-light transmitting panel secured to the rear face of said transparent panel and cooperating therewith to house said luminescent tube.

2. A sign comprising a transparent panel having strokes cut into its rear face, a luminescent tube positioned within certain of said strokes for direct illumination thereof and indirect illumination of the remaining strokes, a non-light transmitting panel secured to the rear face of said transparent panel and cooperating therewith to house said luminescent tube, and a transformer for the luminescent tube carried by said rear panel.

3. A sign comprising a transparent panel having frosted strokes cut into its rear face, a luminescent gas tube positioned within certain of said strokes for direct illumination thereof and indirect illumination of the remaining strokes, a non-light transmitting panel secured to the rear face of said transparent panel and cooperating therewith to house said luminescent tube, said panel being provided with an opening, a casing asso- "ion ciated with said rear panel for receiving a transformer, said casing being provided with an opening aligned with the opening in said panel for reception of the electrodes of said luminescent tube.

4. A sign comprising a transparent panel having frosted strokes cut into its rear face, a luminescent gas tube positioned within certain of said strokes for direct illumination thereof and indirect illumination of the remaining strokes, a non-light transmitting panel secured to the rear face of said transparent panel and cooperating therewith to house said luminescent tube, said rear panel being provided with an opening adjacent the ends of said luminescent tube, a casing carried by said rear panel, said casing having an opening aligned with the opening in said rear panel, the electrodes of said luminescent tube projecting into said casing through the opening therein and the opening in the rear panel, a transformer mounted within said casing, and an electrical connection between said transformer and the electrodes of said tube.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

CHARLES J. WAMSER. 

